The International Zero Waste Cities Conference 2024, held from July 2nd to 4th in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was a remarkable convergence of Tanzania and global government officials, civil society organizations, and zero waste communities and practitioners. This event was a significant milestone in the global zero waste movement, highlighting groundbreaking zero waste models and fostering commitments towards a zero waste future.
Ms Kemilembe Mutasa, Director of Environment in the Vice President’s Office of Tanzania said that waste management is part and parcel of Tanzania’s economic development and Tanzania is on pace with global efforts towards climate change and circular economy. The government plans are to replicate working models like Zero Waste across Tanzania that tackle waste management at source.
One of the conference’s highlights was the incredible launch of the Zanzibar Zero Waste Archipelago, spearheaded by Hon. Mahmoud Mohammed Mussa, the Mayor of Zanzibar City, and his delegation. This groundbreaking commitment marks a significant step towards a zero-waste future for the Zanzibar archipelago, aiming to transform it into a model of environmental stewardship.
Another celebration of the monumental commitment was the launch of the Zero Waste model in Arusha. The commitment showcased Arusha city’s dedication to implementing zero waste in one of the tourist cities in Tanzania represented by Eng. Juma Hamisini who is Arusha City Council director, Mr Abraham Mollel (Deputy Mayor, Arusha City Council), Mr James Lobikoki (Head of Environmental department, Arusha City Council) and Mr Philemon Mollel (Concilor, Moivaro Ward).
John Morton from the World Bank Tanzania and Humphrey Kanyeni from the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Tanzania (PO-RALG) launched the Dar es Salaam Solid Waste Management Program. This collaborative effort involves the PO-RALG, Dar es Salaam City Council (DCC), and the World Bank. The program aims to revolutionize waste management in Dar es Salaam by incorporating decentralized collection and environmental justice into centralized frameworks. This national plan represents a holistic approach to addressing waste management challenges in urban settings.
Throughout the conference, government officials and representatives from various regions expressed their commitments towards replicating and implementing zero-waste practices in their respective areas. Nipe Fagio looks forward to replicating Zero Waste Models in Tanga, Dodoma and Mwanza. These pledges reflect a growing recognition of the importance of waste management in achieving broader environmental and public health goals.
The International Zero Waste Cities Conference 2024 was more than just a gathering of like-minded individuals; it was a call to action. The conference underscored the power of sharing knowledge, innovation, and practical solutions in creating cities that thrive in the zero waste future. As we look to the future, it is crucial to support and expand these zero-waste models, ensuring that the momentum generated at the conference translates into tangible, lasting change.
